CORRECTION: News published 2007-04-26 11:38:53 - Signing date of auditors report corrected - 1Q Results 2007

Exista operating results for the first quarter of 2007

Today the financial services group Exista hf. published its reviewed interim
financial statements for the first three months of the year 2007. In accordance
with the announcements made by the Group in its last report of operating
results, dated 8 February 2007, the following changes have been made in
Exista's accounting methods as of the beginning of the calendar year: 
 
•Strategic investments in financial companies — that is, in Sampo Group and
Kaupthing Bank — will henceforth be accounted for by equity method. 

•The Board of Directors of Exista has decided to utilise an authorisation to
present its financial statements in euros beginning with the first quarter of
2007. 

According to the interim financial statements for the first quarter of 2007,
the primary results for the period are as follows: 

•Profit EUR 641 million after tax
 
•Earnings per share EUR 0.06 

•Annualised return on equity 112.8%
 
•Operating profit from investment businesses EUR 467 million after tax

•Operating profit from operating businesses EUR 174 million after tax

•Total assets EUR 6.76 billion at the end of March 2007, an increase of 54%
during the period 

•Equity EUR 2.64 billion at the end of March, an increase of 39% since the
beginning of the year 

•Funding in the first quarter totalled EUR 1.67 billion 

•Equity ratio 39.1% as of 31 March 2007


Lýdur Gudmundsson, Executive Chairman:
“Exista's performance was extremely sound during the first quarter. In some
ways, today's report marks a turning point for the Group. Recording our
long-term holdings in Kaupthing Bank and Sampo using the equity method further
highlights the importance of financial services in our revenue generation and
strengthens our revenue base. It is also a logical step for us to carry out our
accounting in euros, as Exista operates in international markets. The overall
operation of the Group is going well, and the outlook is generally positive for
our strategic holdings. We will continue to build on our solid foundations,
with the aim of securing strong long-term returns for our shareholders.” 

For further information on the Group's interim accounts, please contact:

Sigurdur Nordal
Managing Director of Group Communications
tel: +354 550 8620 (ir@exista.com)